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 Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There’s something about November that just makes it a more
somber month. The skies are grayer. There are less and less leaves on the
trees by the day, and we have a pretty good idea of what the trees are going to
look like by the end of the month. All of nature seems to be dying, settling
down for its long winter nap. We’ve been here before. We see it every year.
As Catholics, we always start out the month with the Feasts of All Saints on
Nov. 1st, and All Souls,
on Nov. 2nd. We’ve all
“been there and done that”, so to speak, last week. And we know that as
Catholics, the entire month of November is dedicated in a special way to praying
for the dead. Everybody else gets Memorial Day in May. As Catholics, we get an
entire month! The book of Remembrance is once again out in the back of church,
for us to inscribe the names of loved ones who have died over the years. I
would encourage you to write the names of anyone that you know, that we should
be praying for, in the book. And may all of us keep all of those listed in the
Book of Remembrance in our prayers this month. The truth of November is that
one day all of our names are going to be in that book. We’re going to want a
bunch of somebody’s praying for us when we need those prayers. Why not get
started now by “Paying it Forward” with praying for those who have died before
us?
Just like the marking with the blessed ashes on Ash
Wednesday, the month of November in the Catholic Church is meant to be a
reminder to all of us that we are NOT going to be here forever. It is way too
easy to get so comfortable here in this world, that pretty soon we start
expecting that it is always going to be that way. We don’t want to forget that
we are passing through. We get one life to be obedient to God, to use our gifts
and talents well, and to love and take care of one another. We get a very
limited amount of time, that only God knows for sure. What we do with our time,
our gifts, our talents, and our lives is what we are going to be judged on for
all eternity. We do well to remember this. With each day, each one of us is
one day closer to that judgment. November in the Church helps us to keep a
healthy perspective and to prepare.
Christ has conquered death. We know that the whole
business from Easter Sunday morning is a lot more than just a nice story.
Still, we miss our loved ones. Our Faith reminds us this month that we are
going to see them again, when all of us are together with our Lord in His
Kingdom. I don’t know about you, but I am longing a lot for that Kingdom these
days. Death, sickness, suffering, and good-byes are NOT what we were created
for. These things are counter to our nature and the way that God created us to
be. My brothers and sisters, it IS time for us to concentrate on all that is
going to last. Why don’t we talk about Heaven more? I’ve always thought it odd
that Christians, Catholics and even all the others, spend so much time talking
about Hell, where none of us want to go, and so very little time talking about
Heaven where we all profess to want to go. Why is that? And can we really talk
about the dead and NOT talk about Heaven? I don’t think so.
We’ve got to keep our focus as Christ’s Church. Much
has been promised to us. And much is expected from us, as we head towards that
everlasting Kingdom. Don’t settle for the brief, passing joys that this world
offers. God has something infinitely better in store for all of us! May we
work towards His plan every day! Death is only a big deal if you’re not
prepared for it. This month let us get better prepared!
I want to thank Connie Anderson, Deb Perry, Carol
Alvarez, and all the dozens of volunteers for last week’s Vatican Exhibition on
Eucharistic Miracles. Hundreds of folks from all over the Diocese and even some
from Indianapolis came to check out the Exhibit over the course of the week. It
was all very inspiring.
Next weekend, Christopher West is going to be here!
These are great days! Have a blessed week!
In Christ,
Fr. Kevin
Time flies, but remember that you are the navigator. |
